US Visa Restrictions Fuel Ghanaian Outrage, Stoking Economic Concerns
Last week, the U.S. Department of State announced updates to visa reciprocity terms for non-immigrant visa applicants — a significant shift from previous policies that often allowed students to receive multi-entry visas valid for several years.
Under the new terms, many countries, including Ghana, will now issue only single-entry visas valid for just three months. Additional countries face new reciprocal visa fees and shorter validity periods. For international students, they face the choice of not traveling home while studying in the US or face having to reapply for a visa each time — adding cost, uncertainty, and the risk of denial. These changes could significantly impact students’ ability to maintain family connections while studying in the US, and our team is closely monitoring the implications.
“My education is my future,” said Kwame Marfo, a Ghanaian student pursuing engineering in Texas. “The thought of not being able to see my family for years, or having to reapply and risk my visa every time I leave the U.S., is heartbreaking. It makes me question if studying abroad is worth this emotional and financial burden.”
Learn more on GBC Ghana Online >
Bipartisan Duo Introduces Bill to Give Some Migrant Workers Protected Status Amid Trump’s Crackdown
It’s rare to see true bipartisanship in Congress these days, which is why the reintroduction of the Dignity Act of 2025 by Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) is worth noting. The bill aims to provide pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and long-term undocumented immigrants, while also addressing border enforcement and security concerns.
For the international student community, the bill includes several key provisions:
Dual intent for student visa holders
A requirement for OPT participants to pay FICA taxes, addressing a long-standing issue raised by OPT critics
A pathway for STEM PhD graduates to obtain O visas for individuals with extraordinary ability.
There’s a lot in this bill that could strengthen the US immigration system while supporting students, institutions, and employers. We’ll be watching closely and are hopeful it gains traction.
“For 40 years, every president and Congress has looked the other way while millions have lived here illegally, many working in key industries that keep our economy running. It’s the Achilles’ heel no one wants to fix,” Salazar said in a statement. “The Dignity Act offers a commonsense solution: certain undocumented immigrants can earn legal status — not citizenship — by working, paying taxes, and contributing to our country. No handouts. No shortcuts. Just accountability and a path to stability for our economy and our future.”
More on the Dignity Act
Chinese Universities Rise in the Ranks as Senate Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Ceding Global Leadership to China’
What’s at risk? Everyone working in international education is asking this question — and with good reason. The President’s higher education agenda — from freezing research funding and threatening certifications and accreditation, to targeting international students and implementing a prolonged visa pause — is having a real, damaging impact on US universities and we’re already seeing the fallout. Many consulates are still not fully operational, and we won’t understand the full impact until after September.
While the US falters, China is seizing the opportunity, stepping in to strengthen its position as a global education leader. The stakes have never been higher.
“As America retreats from global leadership under the Trump Administration, China is well-positioned and eager to exploit this moment of American disengagement,” said Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The report also warned that Trump’s crackdowns on higher education “have laid the groundwork for a brain drain.”
“At a time when China is articulating its vision for a future that leaves America behind, the Administration’s abdication of global leadership is dangerous and will impose real costs on the American people,” Sen. Shaheen said.
